MANILA, Philippines - Veteran campaigner Ma. Paula Angela Villamil sizzled with five gold medals Sunday to become one of the most outstanding swimmers (MOS) in the 51st Philippine Swimming League (PSL) Series, dubbed Pamaskong Handog ng PSL, held at the Diliman Preparatory School (DPS) in Quezon City last weekend.
Villamil dominated the 50-meter freestyle, 100m individual medley, 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly and 50m breaststroke to grab MOS honors in the girls 13-years category.
“I’m happy with my overall performance but it doesn’t end here. I need to work hard during training to improve for my future international competitions,†said the 13-year-old Villamil, who also won a gold medal in the 2013 Royal Bangkok Swimming Championships in Thailand recently.
Villamil, along with her parents and younger sister Ma. Sophia Mae, flew all the way from Ho Chi Minh City to compete in the tournament organized by the PSL in cooperation with the DPS headed by former Sen. Nikki Coseteng.
Ma. Sophia Mae won three gold medals (50m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 50m backstroke) in the girls’ 9 years category.
Palarong Pambansa standout McTracy Alindogan also bagged seven gold medals in the boys’ 13 years for a perfect 70 points while University of the Philippines’ Ma. Claire Adorna took the spotlight in the girls’ 17 years and over with 54 points.
Other most outstanding swimmers were Emanuel Joshua Lorbes (16 years), Noah Labasan (8), Yuri Ilustre, 54 pts (14), Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh, 70 pts (7), Francesca Glenn Israel, 64 pts (8), Kyla Soguilon (9), Charize Esmero (11), Imee Joyce Saavedra (12), Seth Isaak Martin (11), Marc Bryan Dula (6), Michael Lozada (7), Vaughn Andre Aquino (9), Jordan Lobos (10), Jerard Jacinto (12), JC Doragos (15), Jifrey Azur (17 years and over), Chloe Fabic (girls’ 10 years), Aidepp de Luna (5 and under), Aubrey Tom (6), Portia Dorogos (13), Paula Cayanan (14), Kyle Mendoza (15) and Mary Angelic Saavedra (16).
“We’re overwhelmed with the number of participants this year, a nice way to end this year. We will continue this next year not only to discover fresh talents but to train them and hone their skills for future tournaments abroad,†said PSL president Susan Papa.